South Carolina vs Texas A&M Odds, Picks, and Predictions: Aggies Break Out Offensively in College Station

Two underwhelming SEC teams will meet in Texas when South Carolina faces off against Texas A&M.

It's been a long year so far for each of these programs, and it feels like each season is on the brink. The Aggies came into the year with high expectations and a Top 25 ranking. Enter Week 9 and A&M is coming off back-to-back disappointing losses.

South Carolina is another team that aspired to take a step forward this season. So far, it has failed to do so. It will enter this one off the backs of three straight losses, with its last coming via Missouri in a blowout.

Both teams are desperate for a win in the latest college football odds. Find out how we're betting on this game by reading our college football picks and predictions for South Carolina vs. Texas A&M on October 28.

South Carolina vs Texas A&M best odds

South Carolina vs Texas A&M picks and predictions

In a season with few constants between either of these programs, there has been one: The struggles of the South Carolina defense.

Head Coach Shane Beamer is well aware of it, too. Following the loss to Florida two weeks ago, he went as far as expressing concern that his defense couldn't run the plays that were being called.

Add in the fact that the Gamecocks have some lineman injuries piling up, and those concerns are heightened. Just how bad is it? Over the past few games, here are the numbers:

123rd in EPA allowed per pass.

119th in opponent pass success rate.

40+ points allowed in two of their last 30 games.

30+ points allowed in four consecutive games.

Meanwhile, Texas A&M is looking for a big breakout offensively in Week 9. 

Hiring offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino inspired aspirations of a high-scoring, high-powered unit, and as usual, A&M came in with a Top 10 recruiting class. 

However, the offense sputtered last time out, managing just 13 points against Tennessee. An opportunity to face a weary defense is welcomed, and if given the chance to run the score up, you'd have to imagine head coach Jimbo Fisher would be inclined to do so given the current unrest within the fanbase.

There's also the play on the field. The opportunities for A&M's offense have been there, but the execution has struggled. From an underlying number standpoint, there is a favorable prognosis for what we should expect from them going forward this season.

The Aggies rank in the Top 10 of available yards, the Top 15 in terms of success rate, and the Top 40 in offensive EPA. Based on those metrics, it's reasonable to assume that the A&M offense has been unlucky from a scoring perspective more so than anything.

Alongside that is an improving quarterback. Max Johnson certainly didn't expect to become the starting man behind center this soon, but when Conner Weigman went down with a season-ending injury, A&M had no other choice. While the freshman has had his fair share of ups and downs, there has been a steady improvement in his production over the last few games.

Sans their matchup against the Vols, Johnson had gone three straight weeks with completions of over 30 yards and had started to look like the guy to fulfill the needs of the deep-shot-powered Petrino offense. I like the bounce-back opportunity for him in this spot, especially when you consider that no SEC team has given up more passes of over 25 yards than the Gamecocks.

There's too much to like to pass up on an edge like this. Give me A&M to explode offensively on Saturday.

My best bet: Texas A&M team total Over 34.5 (-110 at bet365)
Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.

South Carolina vs Texas A&M same-game parlay

Texas A&M team total Over 34.5

Ainas Smith Over 59.5 receiving yards

+210 at bet365

We're taking a safer same-game parlay here, but I love the value of pairing our best bet with one prop.

This ties in directly to my above handicap. Ainas Smith has gone Over this number three of the last four games, and South Carolina has been a passing defense that has been much maligned throughout the season.

Meanwhile, Missouri wideout Luther Burden had his way with A&M last season and I expect similar results on Saturday.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

South Carolina vs Texas A&M spread and Over/Under analysis

There's real potential that this South Carolina team mails in the rest of the season, and I don't envy Shane Beamer's position. QB Spencer Rattler has had a good season, but the pieces around him have failed him. We've talked a ton about the defense, and it just lost one of its starting defensive linemen. 

South Carolina has also lost three straight and been competitive in just one of those contests. This A&M team simply appears to have more fight and motivation at the moment.

When it comes to the total, I expect South Carolina to be playing from behind and airing it out throughout the game. There are strong trends in our favor here as well, as seven of the last 10 Gamecock games have gone Over and the previous two meetings between the two schools have cashed the Over as well.

South Carolina vs Texas A&M betting trend to know

Texas A&M has won eight of the last nine head-to-head meetings. Find more college football betting trends for South Carolina vs Texas A&M.

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